related question- I had exclusively used bore snakes and the patch worm on my barrels, then recently decided to try a good cleaning rod (Bore Stix V-Stix).

Whenever I get the tight brush through the muzzle end, I still find that the rod (which is some sort of coated steel, although not nylon) and the brass en of the brush rub the rifling; the rear of the stick can rub inside the chamber.

I thus am getting cocerned about rifling damage.

thoughts? Even though I am very careful, once the brush 'frees itself', the rod still touches.

BTW- anyone ever try the VFG cleaning pellets? I hear that they can be too big for a 9mm barrel.

Generally speaking, as long as the rod is smooth, you should be OK. Most rods have a little cone that helps guide you into the bore and keep it straight, but they're not perfect.

When I use the Steel rod, I'm just super careful not to am it against the rifling.

The inside surface of most barrels is in the RC 45-55 range, which means HARD...so it shouldn't be that easy to mess things up.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott @ Apex-------------------------------------------"Own enough guns that your wife will never notice a gun or 2 being added or taken away from the collection."Leonard Novak - "Thee Gambler" (SASS)------------------------------------------------

Your bore is perfectly fine. Brass is super soft compared to your rifling. Infact, you may have ruined the brushes in your Boresnake by pulling it backward.

It really doesn't matter what way you pull it through, but common practice is chamber to muzzle, because that's the way the bullet travels.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott @ Apex-------------------------------------------"Own enough guns that your wife will never notice a gun or 2 being added or taken away from the collection."Leonard Novak - "Thee Gambler" (SASS)------------------------------------------------

I used Lithi Shield from Weapon Shield, I did the extra grease treatment, kind of messy, and I did not have an applicator. I have never put this much grease on a gun before. Any input about the Lithi Shield grease?

Flork-What would you recommend for lubrication on a duty gun in the winter? I currently use slide glide, but it seems that it would thicken up in the cold WI winters, especially when carried in a duty holster.

To more adequately answer your question.... for that application, I'd suggest Break Free on everything and check it weekly.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott @ Apex-------------------------------------------"Own enough guns that your wife will never notice a gun or 2 being added or taken away from the collection."Leonard Novak - "Thee Gambler" (SASS)------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. -Thomas JeffersonDo not let spacious plans for a new world divert your energies from saving what is left of the old. -Winston ChurchillProud P229 owner

Gun Owner in Toronto Canada Here. I have a sig 229 elite and it has quite a bit of rattle. I was told grease will calm it down a bit. Which one of these greases would you recommend to me? I just got into firearms and i don't really now a whole lot. Thank you in advance for all your help.

The Shooter's Choice will certainly help quiet down the rattle, but it's not going to make it go away completely.

It depends how cold it is where you shoot and how your gun is stored when you need it. For example, when I lived in OR and kept a spare pistol in my truck (everybody up there did it), on cold mornings, I'd load a bunch of guns in the truck and head out to the test fire range. WOn occasion I'd pull out the "Truck gun" and pop off a few rounds and the gun would just barely cycle until I had about 10 rounds down the pipe. This is because the grease on the rails was so cold it's viscosity had gotten to the point that it was like glue instead of grease.

Gummy grease isn't as big of an issue for people who conceal carry their guns because their body will normally keep the gun at an optimal operating temperature where the grease won't get too sticky. If you carry it on your hip exposed like most police officers do, you have to consider this as a worry because the gun may be on you but it may be too cold to shoot and function reliably.

If you shoot IPSC or any other outdoor disciplines where your gun will be in a range bag or on your hip where it is exposed to sub freezing temperatures, you may consider sticking to strictly oil like the FP10 and making sure to reapply oil every time you use it.

If you're shooting indoor or carry it close to your body where it stays warm, you can probably get away with the grease without a problem.

I'd suggest doing an experiment, grease your gun up, stick it in the freezer for a few hours, pull it out and see how the slide feels. If it feels like it's gummy and sluggish, the grease may not be the route to take.

Scott

-------------------------------------------------------------------------Scott @ Apex-------------------------------------------"Own enough guns that your wife will never notice a gun or 2 being added or taken away from the collection."Leonard Novak - "Thee Gambler" (SASS)------------------------------------------------

Cleaned my sp2009 and greased just like Flork said and noticed that it felt better (just as when I just got it) when I racked the slide. I was told by "more experienced" gun owners that I was using too much grease and cut back on the gease. I realised that my gun felt a bit differently but dismissed it as just my mind working overtime. I now realise that my gun was running too dry.

Well I guess I need to start using grease, all I have ever used before is CLP. I have had this same discussion about grease vs. oil on the 1911 in the last day or so on another forum. I'll ask the same thing here that I asked there. What about using the old military grease in the little pots with the yellow top? Too thick, thin, or other?